Bentley Mulsanne

Bentley’s all-new super saloon is here. The Mulsanne replaces the now fairly stately Arnage, and takes its name from the 1980’s luxury Bentley saloon, which itself was named after the Mulsanne straight on the Le Mans 24 hours Circuit de la Sarthe.

While no official details have been confirmed yet, it’s expected to pack an updated (and potentially biofuel-friendly) version of the brand’s classic 6.75-litre V8 engine.

Styling is fairly striking, with the general profile and proportions of the outgoing Arnage coupled with some dramatic elements, including those big front lights and the protruding fastback rear.

Bentley is keen to buddy it up with the company’s 1930 model, the 8-litre. It’s seen as company founder W.O. Bentley’s defining moment, and is the last big car designed, engineered and built solely by Bentley – the Mulsanne is the first since.

Indeed, the two shared a stage at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance this weekend where the Mulsanne got its world debut.

‘The 8-litre’s breathtaking performance and quality was perhaps the finest example of a ‘pure’ grand Bentley. Every mechanical detail carried W.O. Bentley’s unique stamp and it was the clearest demonstration of a car built without compromise,’ said Bentley engineering chief Dr. Ulrich Eichhorn.

‘The Mulsanne has been designed with exactly the same guiding principles, so it is entirely fitting that these Bentleys from different eras share the same stage.’

A full public debut will be given to the Mulsanne at the Frankfurt motor show from September 15 2009, an event evo.co.uk will have full live coverage from. More information will be revealed then. The new Bentley goes on sale in summer 2010, with prices expected to be on par with the £271,000 Rolls-Royce Phantom.Follow evo’s Twitter for the performance car latest

Le Mans legend Derek Bell takes evo for a ride in the biofuel Bentley Supersports